Acclimating Discus in their New Home   by Vern Archer

“Why are Discus fish so jumpy when I take them home from a store or hatchery”?

It’s a fairly common question especially for those that are new to keeping discus.  Discus when first introduced to a new tank, look for somewhere they can hide and feel safe. Allow them a filter or plant something they can hide behind at least initially, but don't overdo it, to much clutter in a tank will make it difficult for them to adjust to you. To many hiding places will encourage the discus to always want to hide and you want to force them out in the open which helps them overcome their fears and speeds up the adjustment period.   
Transferring the fish from the dark of the shipping box should be done in low light so the bright light doesn't shock them and leave the aquarium lights off  for a few hours while they adjust to their new environment. 

Points to consider:

1) The placement of the aquarium, avoid high traffic areas or near a window that allows sunlight to shine directly into the tank.
 
2) The height, Discus like to see your face so height is important, try to keep the height at eye level (when your seated watching the fish).

3) The amount of light, keep the lights off or very low for a few hours so they have time to adjust to the new environment and the new water parameters such as pH, temperature and hardness.

4) Also keep in mind that some of the newer strains like the Albino Discus, the red pupil is very sensitive to light and I have read that bright lights can even blind them.  So overall aquarium lighting should be a consideration in making your fish comfortable. 
Lower the light level for a few days until they are eating and have adjusted to their new home. 


A community tank situation

Discus don't do well for a number of reasons;

1) Faster and more agressive fish get to the food before the Discus.

2) Pathogens that are carried by other species of fish can harm the discus.

3) Community tanks usually have gravel bottoms that harbour uneaten food and fish feces which can cause bacteria and disease to flourish in the tank.

4) Not all community fish can handle the required higher Discus temperature and the temperature is usually reduced to 80 or 82 F which can impact significantly on a young Discus. Adults can handle this lower temperature but even they, over time, become less active and can possibly become sick. Adult Discus should be kept around 85 F, 84 being the minimum. Young baby discus should be at 86 F.

Depending on the age, moving fish to a new environment and keeper can be a very stressful and a dramatic time for the Discus fish. 
Smaller 2 inch, are mostly interested in food and are fairly trusting of their situation providing you have 6 to 8 as numbers are important in their feeling safe. 
As the Discus gets older, 6 months to a year, they become more sensitive and can become skittish and not as trusting.   
Adult’s, year and half to two years, are much more knowing of their keeper, they have trust and are comfortable and feel safe in their environment. 

Healthy and happy Discus,  demand food at the front of the tank as soon as they see you. They allow you, their keeper, access to their space for cleaning with very little objection.

As I have stated in earlier articles, new fish should be isolated from your present stock. I use a bare bottom tank so I can collect feces and utilizing a microscope I verify their health. I maintain an 86F temperature for young and juvenile fish and I may subdue the light if they are really jumpy. I use indirect light so the Discus can see me sitting watching them. When you move them to their new home make sure the water parameters are close, especially temperature and pH. Dripping the fish (using an airline tube and siphoning water from the new tank to their bag or container) may be required if the pH is not close. If the pH is good then floating the bag until the temperature equalizes is a good idea. Note If the fish appear stressed due to lack of oxygen, then move fish immediately to the aquarium.  

Discus key in on your eyes and face and small facial  and hand gestures will usually bring them out of hiding if you are patient enough.  Hand feed your fish they will soon find you mean no harm it also ensure the fish in the back get a chance to feed. I often catch my wife petting them although she has one that always bites her not sure why:)